Copyright Statement

Abstract

Background: Strain (SI) and strain rate (SR) measure
regional myocardial deformation and may be a new
technique to assess phasic atrial function.Objective: To examine the feasibility of using SI and SR
to evaluate phasic atrial function in patients with mild
hypertension (HT).Patients and methods: The study group comprised 54
patients with mild essential HT (29 women) and 80 age-matched
normal controls (47 women). Standard two-dimensional
and Doppler echocardiography was performed
as well as Doppler tissue imaging. The following
left atrial (LA) volumes were measured: (a) maximal LA
volume or Volmax; (b) minimal LA volume or Volmin; (c) just
before the ‘‘p’’ wave on ECG (Volp). Phasic LA volumes
were also calculated. Systolic (S-Sr), early diastolic (E-Sr),
late diastolic (A-Sr) strain rate and SI were measured.Results: Despite no differences in indexed maximal LA
volume with only mild increases in left ventricular mass in
the HT cohort compared with normal subjects (mean (SD)
86 (18) g/m2 vs 67 (14) g/m2; p=0.001), E-Sr was
significantly lower in the HT cohort. There was a
corresponding reduction in indexed conduit volume in the
HT cohort compared with normal subjects (10.5 (7.5)
ml/m2 vs 13.8 (6.1) ml/m2; p=0.006). Global E-Sr
showed modest negative correlations with LA Volmax and
LA ejection fraction. No significant difference was present
in S-Sr, A-Sr or global atrial strain between the normal
and HT cohorts.Conclusion: Mild HT results in a reduction in LA conduit
volume, although maximal LA volume is unchanged. This is
reflected by a reduction in E-Sr with preserved S-Sr andA-Sr.